What is ZFSA?

We are a group of individuals who are committed to help steward the legacy of Zinniker Farm into the future and who wish to benefit from the extraordinarily vital, flavorful, nutrient dense food produced on the farm. We are in the process of forming a new kind of economic and cultural association whose goals are to:

1. Ensure the farm continues to be selflessly stewarded in perpetuity using the best organic, biodynamic, and regenerative farming practices;

2. Grow the number of people who can benefit from a connection to the farm and to the vital, nutrient dense food produced on the farm; 

3. Help Mark and Petra Zinniker, the current stewards of Zinniker Farm, earn a good living and start stepping back from full responsibility for the farm operations and move toward, and into retirement, with dignity;

4. Help a new farm family to get established on Zinniker Farm who can help move the current farm enterprises into the future and diversify the farm’s offerings so that the farm can provide more and more of the food needs of the ZFSA members;

5. Nurture the farm’s role as a center for cultural renewal and farmer and consumer education.

How will ZFSA Work?

Each year, the members of ZFSA, through a core group that includes the farmers, will establish an annual budget for the farm. This budget will include everything needed to run the farm in the coming year, provide a dignified living for the farmers, and insure the long-term sustainability of the farm, including capital improvements and the costs necessary to bring new farmers into the land. Members of the ZFSA will then make pledges and contributions sufficient to cover the entire budget of the farm and in turn, the entire output of the farm will be distributed to the members of the Association. The exact legal structures and systems that will be used to operate and manage ZFSA are still in the process of being worked out, but we imagine that in addition to the core group, ZFSA will have committees to manage outreach, distribution and farm-based and community events. At present we assume that ZFSA will need to contract with one or two part time people to help coordinate these efforts.

How is ZFSA Different from a Typical CSA?

While ZFSA will have some similarities to a typical community supported agriculture (CSA) program, it is different because we are focused on the long-term stewardship of the farm as a whole and not just on buying food for one growing season. Specifically, this means:

1. The farm’s budget will be developed in partnership with ZFSA members and there will be full transparency with the members regarding every aspect of the farm’s finances and management.

2. ZFSA members are not simply buying a share in a portion of the farm’s output but rather making financial commitments and gifts to cover the whole annual budget of the farm and in turn receiving the entire output of the farm.

3. We anticipate that the amount of each member’s contribution will be different based on their unique financial circumstances, rather than paying a common flat rate. Some individuals and organizations may also choose to make contributions to support the work of Zinniker farm who do not wish to gain access to the food. 

What is the Current Status and Timeline for ZFSA?

A core group has been formed, including Mark and Petra Zinniker, Chuck and Hazel Ginsberg, Jessica Fuchs, Elizabeth Lennon and David Dorn, and Robert Karp who is serving as a consultant to the project. At present we are actively working on the following, with the goal of launching ZFSA in time for the 2023 season:

1. Developing a farm budget for the 2023 growing season.

2. Creating and implementing a plan to bring a new farmer onto the land, ideally before the 2023 season.

3. Putting in place all the necessary legal, operational and promotional systems necessary to launch and run ZFSA.

4. Beginning outreach to potential members of ZFSA.

How Can I Get Involved?

There are many ways you can already support Zinniker Farm and the development of ZFSA, including the following:

1. Begin to buy food from Zinniker Farm now. To place orders contact Petra Zinniker at Zinnikerfarm@gmail.com. Zinniker Farm food is currently being distributed in Chicago through a car-pool group. 

2. Consider paying above the retail price for your Zinniker Farm products to support this effort, as many have begun to do. Speak with Chuck Ginsberg for information about this, chuck@familyfarminitiative.com.

3. Make donations to support the farm and the development of ZFSA. Donations can be made directly to Zinniker Farm by check or through Zelle (at zinnikerfarm@gmail.com) or through our Patreon page at Patreon.com/Zinnikerfarm. 

4. Identify and help us do outreach to your family and friends who might be interested in becoming part of ZFSA.

5. Become part of one of the ZFSA committees that will eventually be formed, including the outreach, distribution and events committees. 

6. Let us know of other skills and ideas you may wish to contribute to this effort. 

7. You can contact Petra Zinniker at ZinnikerFarm@gmail.com or Chuck Ginsberg at chuck@familyfarminitiative.com with ideas or to get more involved.

Tell Me More about Zinniker Farm

Zinniker Farm located in East Troy, Wisconsin, is the oldest, continually operated biodynamic farm in the United States and has played a huge role in the furthering of the biodynamic and regenerative agriculture movement. Started by Max and Mathilde Zinniker in 1943, then stewarded by Dick and Ruth Zinniker for many decades, the farm is currently managed by Mark and Petra Zinniker. The farm has been using organic and biodynamic practices from the very beginning and was certified organic in 2000 through Oregon Tilth. In 2011, the farm transitioned from a dairy focus to a beef operation, and began using grazing principles that are in line with the holistic grazing management approach taught by Alan Savory with the goal to increase fertility and the soil's water holding capacity in drought and other extreme weather patterns. All the farm animals are fed 100% organic feed grown and are raised without hormones, antibiotics, genetic engineering, or other chemicals. Current products offered by the farm include beef, chicken, pork, eggs, honey, mushrooms, soap and biodynamic preparations. You can learn more about Zinniker Farm here on our website.